Green Cities Report

This report is our effort to showcase and support the innovative ways in which cities are creating an equitable green economy. It is based on conversations with the brightest thinkers in the field, and the findings from our survey of 40 of the country’s largest cities.

This report, “Green Cities,” is our effort to showcase and support the innovative ways in which cities are creating an equitable green economy. The report is based on conversations with the brightest thinkers in the field, and the findings from our survey of 40 of the country’s largest cities. “Green Cities” takes a step back to see what cities have accomplished, while also identifying areas in which their efforts have fallen short.

Our findings are, on the one hand, encouraging: Most cities are starting to seize the challenge and opportunity of addressing climate change. On the other hand, our findings also reveal a deeply concerning trend: Few cities are prioritizing
the needs of low-income people and communities as part of their green strategies and programs.

“Green Cities” focuses on the three areas in which we see significant headway being made and opportunity for further progress: building energy retrofits, green workforce development and transit-oriented development. Not only do local leaders identify these areas as priorities, but the recently passed stimulus bill brings extraordinary new resources to these activities.